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Live and Let Live
2003 World AIDS Day in New York City - A Global commemoration to Combat HIV/AIDS Stigma and Discrimination
Contributed by "Boo" Lynn Walsh, with photographs by Ely Spivack and Banning Eyre
The Afropop Worldwide team, joined over a thousand people at the Cathederal of St. John The Divine in New York to bear witness to a plethora of speakers, artists and organizations commemorating World AIDS Day on December 1, 2003. The evening served to honor people and organizations involved in the ongoing global fight against AIDS, as well as to remember those afflicted, both living and deceased. This commemoration called "Live and Let Live" was sponsored by the Joint United Nations Program (UNAIDS) and cosponsored by (UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, ILO, UNESCO, WHO, The World Bank), African Services Committee, Church World Service, Artists Against AIDS Worldwide and Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
The two-hour program included performances by Baaba Maal (Senegal), Lila Downs (Mexico), cast members from the Broadway show Rent, Nitin Sawhney (UK), Harlemm Lee (winner of NBC's competition), and the Sinikithemba Choir (an HIV-positive youth choir from South Africa). Speakers included activists from the international community of NGOs, Congressman Charles Rangel and a video message from Kofi Annan, United Nations Secretary-General. The MC for the evening was Black Entertainment Television's (BET) Jacque Reid.
The United Nations has formed UNAIDS, a collaboration of nine different organizations dedicated to mobilizing local and international resources to fight the AIDS global pandemic along with TB and Malaria, through prevention, education and medication including antiretrovirals.
African Services is a community-based organization established in 1981 that provides health, housing, legal and social services including free HIV testing and counseling primarily to the 7,000+ African immigrants in New York City. They have upgraded and expanded their facilities to include a large space for community events, and have also opened a branch of African Services in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where the organization's founder Asfaha Hadera originates. Artists Against AIDS Worldwide is a collaboration of artists dedicating their time, talent to energizing the campaign to fight AIDS and recently started a new initiative--Keep a Child Alive--to address the needs of families and orphans affected by AIDS.
Backstage, the Afropop crew was warmly greeted by superstar Baaba Maal, (who was appointed UNDP Youth Emissary, Senegal in July of 2003) and his long-term collaborator and keyboard player, Hilaire Chaby. Both artists are deeply committed to using their talents and fame to educate and empower Africans. Baaba Maal spoke about the Africa 2015 project, an ongoing coalition of artists and activists working together with Djibril Diallo and the UNDP to realize a new vision of Africa. One aspect of the project is an upcoming recording summit of African musicians to include Baaba, Salif Keita, Positive Black Soul, Youssou N'Dour, Angelique Kidjo, Toure Kunda, Tiken Jah Fakoli and others. The artists recently held a three-day planning meeting in Dakar, including input from Senegal's president, Abdoulaye Wade.
Last year, after completing his international acoustic tour, Baaba Maal toured Senegal, performing 25 concerts, mostly in the north. The idea was, as he put it, "We're going to play music, sing and dance, but we're also going to talk about AIDS, religion, and sex, and you're going to listen! Two years ago, I thought I could not talk to people about sex." This is natural work for Baaba Maal, who is not only an Afropop superstar but also a scholar who has studied music, history and law, and speaks several languages. Throughout his musical career he has used traditional and modern music and technology to deliver socially conscious messages.
Baaba Maal explained that obvious causes of STD transmission in Africa included traditional polygamy and difficult economic conditions have created a transient workforce where families are separated for long periods of time and bring the disease back with them from other places in Africa. But he also pointed out that its not just about sexuality, there are many other ways to become infected. For example traditional practices of male circumcision, female gentile mutilation and midwives and traditional healers who might inadvertently spread the virus. Hilaire added that barbers, in order to keep prices affordable may use the same razor on many customers thereby increasing the chance of spreading HIV.
When asked if an early public awareness campaign was one of the reasons that Senegal has one of the lowest rates of HIV/AIDS, Baaba agreed, stating that a few years ago people were shunned, ashamed and hid the disease and that was dangerous. But now things are much different, and even he is astonished that the community and religious leaders now want to know more and that women are more expressive in candidly discussing these issues openly. He relayed a story about one of his musical educational tours to an Islamic village. He was in the middle of the meeting when the traditional time for prayers had come. Respectfully, Baaba prepared to conclude... but the village imams astounded him by insisting they continue this important community discussion about saving lives, since that is the focus of so many of their prayers.
During the program, Baaba graced the vast cathedral dressed head to toe in a breathtaking silk boubou reflecting shades of steel and lavender that contrasted against Baaba's deep rich pigment and that of a lighter toned acoustic guitar. Baaba explained that his first song "Baayo" was dedicated to the orphans who lose their parents and family to AIDS "because if we want to save the world, we have to take care of the future generation." These sentiments were reflected earlier when one of the speakers mentioned that because of the epidemic, 20 million children would be orphaned in the next decade. His distinctively soaring voice accompanied by the gentle plucking of guitar strings, echoed imploringly upward through the vast chambers of the church's vaulting archways looming with saints, angels and gargoyles. Baaba accompanied himself on guitar for two songs, and Hilaire joined him for a final ballad, orchestrated via synthesizer.
Another highlight was a set by representatives of Sinithemba Choir (see previous afropop.org article), which means "We bring hope." An inspiring example of determination in the face of long odds, this HIV-positive group has lost twenty members in the past year. The group's leader spoke briefly, and then they stole the show as they burst into their program with AIDS-related messages delivered in distinctive South African harmonies and rousing, Zulu-style choreography. One of their lead singers and spokesperson Zinhle Thabethe related her personal experiences, explaining her challenging living conditions. She explained that she is one of just four choir members who have been admitted to programs that provide antiretroviral drugs critical to their survival. The drugs have returned her to health from near death. The statement chillingly dramatized the necessity of increasing access to life prolonging medication among South Africa's badly afflicted population.
UNAIDS states that there are at least six-million people globally who do not have access to these drugs that can now be supplied for as little as fifty cents a day. Zinhele's lead vocals complimented the choir's male lead in a capella style, valiantly displaying an indomitable spirit that could not help but inspire, and concluded the program on a near miraculous note of uplift.
Overall, it was a sobering evening, filled with heartbreaking personal stories and dire statistics about the increasing spread of AIDS--5 million new cases and 3-million deaths last year. Still, there was a bedrock of hope and determination among those gathered to increase their commitment to continue to fight against the AIDS pandemic on a personal and global level.
To lean more, or get involved, please visit the following organizations' websites:
United Nations: www.un.org
UNAIDS: www.unaids.org
African Services Committee: www.africanservices.org
Church World Service: www.churchworldservice.org
Artists Against Aids: www.aaaw.org
www.keepachildalive.org
Cathederal of St. John the Divine: www.stjohndivine.org
Previous Afropop.org articles and sound bites on Baaba Maal: http://www.afropop.org/explore/show_artist/ID/8/Baaba+Maal
Sinikithemba Choir: http://www.afropop.org/multi/feature/ID/235/Sinikithemba+Choir%3A+South+Africans+with+HIV+Sing+Out%21
Contributed by: "Boo" Lynn Walsh
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